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Potential first project?

Jake42
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Jake42 New Member

Jake42

Posted
Posted

Hello everyone! 

Just opening a recent Ebay purchase sold as spares and repairs.  Its a  Customline 21 Jewels Waterproof Calendar Antimagnetic.   I purchased it mainly for the Dial I absolutely love the pattern it has on it.  now I've tried to find out more about the watch but could only find other Ebay listings for similar watches.  which isn't a problem I was intending to use the watch as a practice if I break it I break it piece and maybe purchase a donor movement if needed.  

Now the problem comes when I try winding the watch (I believe it was advertised as seized and I hoped it would just need a good service and clean to get it running alas no)  the hands go mad and the watch takes on the impression of a helicopter starting up.  It is as if all of the power I have wound into the mainspring is almost instantly let loose as I wind it.  The same happens when trying to set the hands. I'm assuming that there's something not quite right in the escapement maybe the pallet fork is broken?  

My question really is, Is this something I should be tackling as a first project or should I put it in a drawer and come back to it once I've made more headway with the level 2 course?  

any I wouldn't say no to any information on the brand if anyone does know anything!   

Thank you for reading and any advice! 

Jake 

 

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rehajm Super WRT Addict

rehajm

Posted
Posted
5 minutes ago, Jake42 said:

My question really is, Is this something I should be tackling as a first project or should I put it in a drawer and come back to it once I've made more headway with the level 2 course?  

 

...your journey so up to you. These are inexpensive online so maybe a good candidate to try on...but if you like it I'd set it aside and work on something you aren't necessarily fond of, or get one of the cheap movements Mark suggests and work on that until you get confident. My first acquisition was a Vulcain Cricket and I worked on many others before I tackled it...

Nice looking watch. I have sat in so many chairs with that pattern 🤣...I never heard of the maker- can you open the case and take look at the movement?

 

Nucejoe Distinguished Member

Nucejoe

Posted
Posted

 BFG 866 is bog-standard found in many vintage brands. 

 Shouldn't be concerned that you might break something or ruin a cheap  watch, trust me you have many to break to join the club here, how else  can one gain  dexterity?  to handle such tiny parts.

Rgds

  

 

 

 

  • Like 2
Geotex WRT Addict

Geotex

Posted
Posted

I think a beginner would be served well by a movement that doesn’t have one of those extremely difficult to place bridges found on some pin pallet models. Does this BFG have a novice-friendly design?

Nucejoe Distinguished Member

Nucejoe

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, Geotex said:

I think a beginner would be served well by a movement that doesn’t have one of those extremely difficult to place bridges found on some pin pallet models. Does this BFG have a novice-friendly design?

Just replacing the mainspring,  a pain. 

You can reach gears from movement's side.

I think ST96 is a better practice piece.

Neverenoughwatches Distinguished Member

Neverenoughwatches

Posted
Posted

Yes the escapement function is faulty, the power is being released as soon as you wind the watch.  Don't listen to them just go for it matey 😄, it's well jewelled you'll be just fine. Hopefully it's more challenging , get yourself some cheap pin pallet and full plate watches that will test your mettle. I cut my teeth on cheap stuff like this and still do them weekly. I heard, understood and learnt the story of " Robert the Bruce " as a young boy and the " keep going " mentality has stayed with me ever since. Fear nothing, dont look back and just get stuck in fella 🙂.

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